4 Reasons to Donate Stock to Church
If you’ve ever donated to a nonprofit, you’re probably familiar with cash giving — you write a check or make a credit card payment, and your money is put to work supporting the causes you love. But did you know that cash isn’t the only thing you can donate to charity? Many donors are choosing…
Is it Vacation or Paid Time Off?
Is it Vacation or Paid Time Off? Traditionally, churches offered separate paid time off benefits to employees, such as paid vacation, sick leave, and personal days. However, in the past decade, many churches have moved to a more flexible Paid Time Off or “PTO” benefit that incorporates all policies into one all-inclusive PTO plan. The…
COVID-19 Home Testing Deductible?
COVID-19 Home Testing Deductible? The IRS recently posted a reminder on their website that the cost of home testing for COVID-19 is an eligible medical expense that can be paid or reimbursed under health flexible spending arrangements (health FSAs), health savings accounts (HSAs), health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), or Archer medical savings accounts (Archer MSAs). That…
Are Church Musicians Employees?
Are Church Musicians Employees? If your church pays musicians to perform during services or other events, you’ll need to determine if they are employees or independent contractors. The biggest distinction between W-2 employees and 1099 workers is the amount of control you have over them. With a W-2 employee, you have the right to direct the…
Church Benevolence Payments
Church Benevolence Payments Churches often designate certain funds to give to those in their community experiencing financial needs. The needs may arise from issues such as unemployment, disability, natural disasters, or illness. These funds can be given to those outside the local congregation, within the local congregation, and even to those employed by the local…
Ongoing COVID Legal Issues for Churches
Ongoing COVID Legal Issues for Churches The COVID-19 pandemic has caused churches to make challenging programming and financial decisions for the past year and half. Early on during the pandemic churches were forced to pivot much of their programming and meetings online to protect people from gathering in person. Although live gatherings and meetings have…
Can an employee submit a new W-4 at any time?
Can an employee submit a new W-4 at any time? Yes, an employee may submit a new W-4 anytime they have changes. Often, they’ll submit a new form when they know they’ll be changing exemptions, adjustments, deductions, or credits on their return. For example, an employee may want to increase their withholding by decreasing the…
Expense Reimbursement Policy
Expense Reimbursement Policy The Church should set up a written Expense Reimbursement Policy to cover all reasonable, ministry-related expenses. The policy should outline any item that may be considered a qualified expense for the church. Any expense that does not fall within your guidelines must be approved by the appropriate supervisor before the expense is incurred….
Don’t Miss the Oct. 15 Tax Extension Deadline
Don’t miss the Oct. 15 Tax Extension Deadline Did you file an extension for your 2020 federal income tax return? If so, you have about 2-weeks remaining to file your individual return, as it is due on or before October 15, 2020. A tax extension gives you additional time to file but does is not…
I Haven’t Received Our Stimulus Check
I Haven’t Received Our Stimulus Check Many clergy are finding that they are getting direct deposits for only a portion of what they think their stimulus payment should be. Some have gotten half of their payment deposited one week and half the next, and others are finding that their dependents’ share of the stimulus money…
